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WTA Stuttgart Open 2021 Quarterfinals: Elina Svitolina vs Petra Kvitova Preview, Head-to-Head & Prediction

The WTA 500 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2021 has reached the quarterfinals stage and has some exciting matchups coming up. One of them is between the defending champion Petra Kvitova and World No. 5 Elina Svitolina.

Petra Kvitova
Mar 27, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic hits a backhand against Johanna Konta of Great Britain (not pictured) in the third round in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Elina Svitolina vs Petra Kvitova: Preview

The 31-year-old Czech professional has found it hard to run deep into the tournaments for quite sone time. However, Petra Kvitova ended her two-year title-less drought, winning Qatar Open this year.

Coming into the quarterfinals, she outplayed Australian Open 2021 finalist Jennifer Brady and Greek professional Maria Sakkari. She will look forward to spending a few more days in Germany.

Read More: Simona Halep Feels the Absence of Venus and Serena at Stuttgart Open 2021

The two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Elina Svitolina has inarguably underperformed in 2021. She has reached the last-16 stage three times but couldn’t convert to something bigger.

Elina Svitolina
Mar 30, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Elina Svitolina of Ukraine reacts after winning a point against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia (not pictured) in a women’s singles quarterfinal in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Positively, her best of the season came at the previous tournament, the Miami Open, where she reached the semifinals. She also has two consecutive wins under her belt coming from the Fed Cup playoffs against Japan.

Both they are in-form and would be eyeing to set up their rhythm for the following clay-court swing.

Svitolina vs Kvitova: Head-to-Head

Former World No.2 has a 7-4 lead against the Ukrainian star in their head-to-head battles. But interestingly, Elina has won their last three encounters, including the finale of the 2018 WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old also got the better of Kvitova when they played for the first time in the 2014 Cincinnati Masters. After that, the Czech won seven straight matches against Svitolina.

Read More: “Feel More Like a Global Citizen”: Naomi Osaka Reveals the Benefits of Moving to the United States

Svitolina vs Kvitova: Prediction

Petra has threatened her opponents most with her deadly backhand groundstrokes. It will give her a solid chance for a win if she manages to connect them in the quarterfinal.

However, the Czech professional would be wary of her next competitor, who has impeccable return ability. Thus, she would need to up her game to her ultimate best to get past the Ukrainian.

Even then, the fourth seed looks more promising coming in this match. Elina will engage Petra in longer rallies and force her to cause errors. Also, keeping her service percentage up, she will continue to put pressure on the seventh seed.

But this is tennis, and Kvitova is the defending champion, so you never know. What is clear is that it would be a high-quality tennis match.

Prediction: Svitolina to win in three sets.

Also Read: ‘Nothing Like Winning a Match Point’: Maria Sharapova Details Her Transition From Tennis to Business World

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